Naruto's Betrayal: "You Thought Sasuke Was Bad?"

Sasuke P.O.V.

Neji's words got me thinking. Of course, my initial response was to follow the Hokage's orders and return Naruto to the village... But, what if killing him was the only way? Before I was able to think of a response, Konohamaru went for a swing on Neji... Which only led to him being flat on his face. He wiped some sand from his face, glaring at Neji before turning his gaze to me.

"SASUKE! SAY SOMETHING BEFORE THIS JERK GOES AND KILLS NARUTO."

I looked at Konohamaru and smirked a bit.

"Calm down, Konohamaru. I don't think it's gonna come to that... Right, Neji?"

I shot him a quick glance, daring him to disagree. He was smart and agreed.

"You're right... I just... Want to make sure we are all aware of our worst case scenario. My apologies, both of you."

Konohamaru stood up, dusting himself off.

"Fine. Just don't say anything stupid like that again."

I couldn't help but allow a chuckle to escape my lips, as Kakashi Hatake walked up to the group of us.

"Looks like you boys are in for some fun. Sure you don't want me to come along? Ya know, I have been in this sort of situation before..."

He cheekily said as he glanced over at me. I smirked and ran a hand through my hair, meeting his gaze.

"Come on, Kakashi Sensei, haven't we moved past that?"

Kakashi laughed a bit, putting his arm around my shoulder.

"We would have, if you hadn't replicated the scenario through your abuse toward Naruto."

He was speaking in a light, joking manner, but I could tell he was being serious. I knew he was right. It was just like Konohamaru said, I was supposed to be his friend.

The sound of Konohamaru's voice broke me from the daze Kakashi's comments put me in.

"HEY OLD MAN WE HAVE A MISSION TO GET TO SO BACK OFF."

Kakashi had Konohamaru in a headlock before the rest of us could even blink, he continued to speak to me as Konohamaru fought to be free from his grasp.

"You know what needs to be done here, Sasuke. You're the only one here who truly understands what Naruto is feeling... And I know you can make it right."

And, with that, Kakashi disappeared, leaving me with my thoughts, and Neji helping Konohamaru up from the ground as the young boy tried to catch his breath. After a moment or two of silence, Neji finally spoke.

"According to Lady 7th, Gaara and Hinata are waiting for us inside the Forest of Death... Apparently the place was crawling with Akatsuki."

Konohamaru nodded, before looking down the ground with a grimace.

"It's true... I..."

He cut himself off, looking at Neji as he continued with the briefing.

"Our goal is only to figure out where Naruto is for now... Lady 7th made it incredibly clear that we are not to engage unless absolutely necessary... Lest we end up like Lee."

His voice trailed off at the mention of Lee's name. I knew all too well the pain of loss, so I understood what he was going through. I fought against my instincts, and placed my hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry about Lee... We won't let anything happen to anyone else. I swear."

Neji's face showed no emotion, but he nodded in response to my words. He looked down at Konohamaru, who was picking at the bandages that covered his arms. Konohamaru met his gaze as Neji knelt closer to his level.

"I know how much Naruto means to you... And what I said earlier was... foolish. We will bring him back, alive. If it's the last thing I do."

Konohamaru nodded a bit, a small smile showing on his face.

"We'd better get going then."

After a bit of a trek, Neji stopped dead in his tracks. I held my hand out, signaling for Konohamaru to stop as well... Before realizing what it was that Neji was looking at. Near the stump of the tree he was standing on, was a small mound of dirt, marked by a small white flower. By looking at Konohamaru's expression, it was obvious that he knew what was there. I looked to Neji, who had jumped down from the tree limb and to the sight of the makeshift grave.

"You uh... need a minute?"

He shook his head. Closing his eyes for a moment before looking back to me.

"No. I'm alright I just... Wanted to pay my respects."

I jumped down and landed next to him, putting a hand on his arm. After a moment, I heard a yelp, and a rush of wind blowing through the trees around us. I looked up to where the noise came from, and Konohamaru was gone. I quickly jumped back up with Neji close behind, quickly scanning the tree line.

"KONOHAMARU? KONOHAMARU?!"

No reply. I was just about to shout again, when Neji froze. I looked to where he was looking, and saw a splatter of blood where Konohamaru had been standing.